LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Evening Star, Issue 23693, 28 September 1940, Page 9

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

VISIT CF DOMINION PRESIDENT At a combined rally of Otago branches of the League of Mothers on Thursday afternoon, the R.S.A. Hall was filled to capacity, a striking testimony to the part which the league plays in the community. Mrs G. Ji; Seddon, the newly-olectod provincial president, was iu the chair, while others on the platform were Mrs S. 0. English (Dominion president), Mrs Charles White (immediate past president of the Dominion), Mrs Mcrrington (retiring provincial president), and Mrs Stanley Harris (a member of Dominion executive). Mrs M'Grcgor presented bouquets to Mesdamcs English and Seddon.

Mrs Charles White expressed pleasure at seeing such a large gathering. She considered the present a time of opportunity for the League of Mothers, and if it were to increase in numbers and strength, then members must keep the objects over before them and adhere to the rules'.

Mrs Morrington paid a tribute to the work of the league, with all its potentialities and powers, though it is just on the thresh hold of realising its powers. It would be a loss to New Zealand, she said, if there were no league in these sad, tragic days. As in active service, the movement plays an essential part in the lives of members. Russell Lowell has said. “ New occasions breed new duties,” and so the duty of the league is to restore the real values of life and help to build the new world order for which we are waiting. Mrs Herrington, in concluding, expressed her appreciation of the loyalty and sympathy given to her during her term of office. At this juncture, representatives of each of the 16 branches came forward, each with a floral tribute, to express in some measure their appreciation of her unselfish service and the affectionate esteem in which she is held by all members. Mrs English, representing the Dominon Executive, also added her tribute. When Mrs Herrington stood to reply, surrounded by masses of beautiful spring flowers and blossoms, members accorded her musical honours. A women’s choir of over 100 voices then rendered two items under the baton of Mrs H. C. Campbell— 1 Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring ’ and ‘ O Peaceful England.’ Mrs Wallace acted as accompanist. Mrs Seddon introduced the guest of honour and speaker for the afternoon, Mrs S. O. English, of Herne Bay, Auckland. She outlined service given to the league by her, first in branch work in Ponsouby, then in provincial work in Auckland and in the Dominion executive, culminating ip her appointment as Dominion president. While Otago and Southland members had formerly esteemed their president for her service to the movement, they would, after this visit, value her as a personal friend. Mrs English, who was warmly welcomed, delivered an outstanding address on the objects and rules of. the League of Mothers, which had been founded by the Lady Alice Fergusson as a very wide society for uniting women of all sections, for mutual help and encouragement, to help to be wiser and better wives and mothers. The speaker herself designated the league as an “ organism,” a living thing, which depends on the spiritual life of each individual member for its existence. She made a fervent plea for upholding the sanctity of marriage, and in simple terms outlined many of the characteristics necessary for building a happy home life. It was well to cultivate tact in early life, to be tolerant, and to learn to adapt oneself to circumstances. It is most important that children should develop in the atmosphere of a happy home life, and the personality of parents is a great factor in the successful training of children. The great need in the world to-day is for friendship; there is wonderful opportunity for more work to he done than can ever be done, and woman’s contribution should be towards world peace. The importance of a mother was greater than she realised. She should not only be industrious and domesticated, hut also a woman of affairs and charity. Her in--11 uence radiates out from the circle of Ixome life throughout the world. Mrs Cairney (Pavensbonrnc), in proposing a vote" of thanks to the speaker, thanked her for impressing on her hearers that the movement is _ a Dominion-wide one. with branches linking women throughout New Zealand. Mrs Sutherland (Port Chalmers) thanked members of the choir and Mrs H. C. Campbell for . the delightful music, and also all members who had decorated the hall. The meeting closed with the singing, of the New Zealand Anthem and the National Anthem.